Reviews: Diagonal, Versus, Wraith, Withering Soul (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Diagonal - 4 (Cobblers Records)

British eclectic proggers Diagonal return with their fourth album, imaginatively titled 4. I've always been impressed by Diagonal's music especially just how musical the members are, between them they play numerous instruments to create a musical symphony of space rock, post rock and classic progressive rock following on from their third album Arc which was almost a rebirth for the band being their first album since 2012. Just after it was released they went back into the studio to start recording 4 the shortest gap between releasing albums but resulting in yet more progressive rock music heavily drawing from both the Canterbury Scene and the German Krautrock. 

This style pervading on opener Amon named for Amon Düül II, which brings much of that bands experimental style, shifting time and pace across three quite distinct phases. Chroma is much more jazz influenced focussed around Luke Foster's drumming and Nicholas Whittaker's saxophone, Whittaker also plays the Chinese traditional Hulusi on the sprawling Spinning Array a song that leads you to realise that this album has far fewer keyboards than previous albums due to to Alex Crispin taking up the bass mantle from Dan Pomlett who takes up guitar along with David Wileman leaving just Ross Hossack as the sole synth player, though Alex and Luke both provide keys/synths, but that element is more understated on 4. A focussed record this is Diagonal trying to experiment with sounds they have yet to incorporate, continuing their hot streak. 8/10 

Versus - Confession (Sleaszy Rider Records)

This album was originally recorded in 1984 and never released. Versus was one of the first bands created by guitarist Angelo Perlepes who went on to form Greek neo-classical metal act Mystery and this album remained in the ether since then. It was picked up by Sleaszy Rider Records and has now been remastered and is ready to finally see the light of day. It's clear that in these early days Angelo clearly wanted to be Ritchie Blackmore due to Confession sounding like both Deep Purple and Rainbow. His neo-classical guitar playing taking the lead alongside Stamatis Mantikas' keyboards meaning there are those massive Blackmore/Lord duels throughout. It's all pretty much of a muchness standard Deep Purple worship with blues, funk and rock all fused together the main issue here though is Angelo T. Rigopoulos vocals which are decent on Wandering when he's in a low register but he is no Gillian never quite being as impressive in the highs. For collectors of Greek rock music this will be a much sort after release but for anyone else, it's not vital. 6/10

Wraith - Undo The Chains (Redefining Darkness Records)

Hailing from Indiana in the USA this speed metal three-piece truly believe that metal was perfected by 1984 and no other refinements are needed. Their self described 'no bullshit thrash metal' is instantly reminiscent of Metallica's Kill 'Em All (1983) or Venom's Black Metal (1982) with tight nasty riffage, blasting drums and fuzzed up bass, topped off with some croaked vocals and the pace set to lightning. With a majestic cover painting by Andrei Bouzukov (who has done art for 100's of bands mostly thrash/death). Undo The Chains is about as retro as you can get as it would look great as a vinyl record. Musically too they hitch their sail to the mast playing a distinctly nasty and savage style of speed/thrash metal, firing on all cylinders throughout this 12 track workout. 

The opening instrumental fades off into the punishing Dominator you find yourself gripped instantly, Matt Sokol (guitar) and Chris Petkus (bass) riffing like their lives depended on it as Mike Szymendera (drums) lays down a pace that means you get 12 tracks but 35 minutes of music. With such pacey riffage Jason Schultz plays incendiary leads and solos that very much have that blink and you'll miss it sound of bands such as Slayer, all dive bombs and tapping. Mistress Of The Void rages, Cloaked In Black is nasty Cronos worship while Born To Die has a Motorhead snarl to it. Undo The Chains is a blistering speed/thrash release well worth your time. 8/10

Withering Soul - Last Contact (Mortal Music)

Occasionally you come across a band you haven't heard much from, that set about kicking your ass as soon as you press play on their record. Withering Soul are one such band, I'd never listened to any of their previous material but I will be on the back of taking in Last Contact their newest album. This Chicago trio play a brain melting style of blistering melodic black metal that often evokes the feeling of Celtic Frost, Satyricon and Behemoth as well as taking from the technical death stylings of Bloodshot Dawn and Damin. With drummer Rick and bassist Nenad giving tracks such as Carrion Reflection a frenzied, undulating rhythmic drive that sees Rick especially blasting as if the drumkit was a mine. 

He also drives the grunting Of Blackened Pillars underpinning the stop start riffage of Christopher, he not only kills off your speakers with tremolo picking but also with his pained growls as well as fleshing songs such as Allegory Of The Void with synths adding atmosphere that raises this release up in my estimation. The lyrics of the band are based around horror and the paranormal, making them ideal for this trio, who have been around since 1999, and their ferocious black metal style. Into The Harrowing Expanse is perhaps the albums most epic offering rich with impressive lead guitars. Last Contact is a brilliant extreme metal album, from a band that I will be delving into the back catalogue of. 8/10